Face of Nation : The Irish prime minister vowed to protect the EU’s single market if Britain leaves the bloc without a deal on October 31. The leader suggested that he would implement the necessary checks on goods from Northern Ireland, which would ultimately lead to a hard border. After EU27 leaders were “updated” on the bloc’s no deal Brexit plans, Mr Varadkar told reporters: “If there is a no-deal Brexit at the end of October, Ireland will be under an obligation to protect the single market.
“It’s our single market, our economy and our jobs are dependent on it and we’ll have to make sure that Ireland doesn’t become the backdoor to the European single market and we’re going to work with the Commission on mechanisms by which we can do that.
“The only way that I can see that we can be sure that we avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland is through regulatory alignment.”
Mr Varadkar promised to meet Britain’s next prime minister as soon possible in order to get to work on Theresa May’s draft EU withdrawal agreement.
The Irish leader said: “Once there is a new prime minister in place I look forward to an early meeting and look forward to hearing what ideas they may have as to how we may amend the political declaration.”
MPs’ hatred of the Northern Ireland backstop, which prevents a hard border, has been at the heart of their refusal to back the Brexit deal.
Many Brexiteers are concerned Brussels could trap Britain inside a customs union by refusing to sign an alternative deal
EU leaders spent just 12 minutes discussing Brexit at the end of a two-day summit in Brussels to decide on potential candidates for the bloc’s top jobs for the next five years.
They agreed to welcome Mrs May’s successor to Brussels with open arms, but warned that they are not willing to renegotiate her hated divorce deal.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “We have shown our willingness to continue to work well together with the new British prime minister after the election in Great Britain.”
Emmanuel Macron encouraged the next prime minister to show the same “respect and seriousness” as Mrs May while she worked on the agreement.
The French President said: “Theresa May, all the way through the negotiations she’s been incredibly loyal and respectful. She never stood in the way of Europe, we sometimes disagreed but she never took the discussions on the future or Europe hostage.
“I do not know who will come next, and I certainly do not want to interfere in the British life, but I do hope it will be with the same respect and seriousness that she had.
“And what truly matters is we’re able to reach a final decision.”
Meanwhile Mark Rutte pleaded with Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt to pursue a softer Brexit in order to break the deadlock in Westminster.
The Dutch Prime Minister said Brussels would not simply go round in circles as the British Government attempts to deliver a hard Brexit.
“I believe on October 31 it ends, except if you have elections, a new referendum or you have a new prime minister going to Brussels saying, ‘I want to discuss the red lines’, and then you could have a look at the political declaration. But, only in that case,” Mr Rutte said.
“We’re not going to renegotiate if nothing chances because that would go around in the same circles.”
European Council President Donald Tusk warned that the personnel changes could result in turbulent talks between Brussels and the new Tory leader.
Mr Tusk said: “Maybe the process of Brexit will be even more exciting before because of some personnel decisions in London.”
